Warden has opened a new office in Birchwood, Cheshire, to support its people and growth strategy in the region.

The Birchwood office will act as a strategic hub supporting operations throughout Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, complementing our headquarters in Kirkham and strengthening our presence across the North West.

The move allows staff to work more conveniently and closer to live projects, as well as supporting recruitment ambitions by enabling us to attract talent from a wider geographic area to build a more flexible, well-distributed workforce across the region.

Led by Edwin Esevohare, HSEQ Manager, our contract teams will operate flexibly between the Birchwood and Kirkham offices, as well as site locations, ensuring strong leadership and project oversight across the region.

Based at The Square in Birchwood Boulevard, the office comprises a dedicated workspace with modern office and meeting facilities.

Ian Williams, managing director, said: “The new Birchwood office is a key part of our strategy and reflects our commitment to supporting both our clients and our people. By having a stronger local presence, we can operate more efficiently, reduce unnecessary travel which supports our carbon reduction strategy, and create a better working environment for our teams.

“Birchwood gives us a strong local base for our Merseyside, Manchester and Cheshire clients. It puts us closer to key projects and allows us to continue delivering the high standards our clients expect, while also supporting more sustainable ways of working.”

From Birchwood, our teams are well-positioned to service a range of nearby projects in Chester, Runcorn, Greater Manchester, and Stockport.

Naji Al Rafai, Senior Estimator, Dan Culshaw, Finance Director, Edwin Esevohare, HSEQ Manager, Charlie Heyes, Bid Writer, Ian Williams, Managing Director.

The renovation of Priory Place and Love Street, delivered by Warden, has received the award for Best Residential Renovation & Conservation at the Cheshire West Design Awards – which recognises excellence in design, conservation and construction across the region.

Commissioned by GHH (POC) Ltd in partnership with Grosvenor Hart Homes, the project brought together Warden as lead contractor and architects Cassidy + Ashton to create modern, fit-for-purpose homes that carefully preserved the buildings’ heritage and character.

The project involved the extensive refurbishment and sensitive remodelling of 19 historic residential properties in Chester city centre, many of which are Grade II listed.

Warden was appointed to support the remodelling and refurbishment works, which included the renewal of mechanical and electrical systems, installation of new windows and doors, insulation and damp proofing, and full internal finishes, all delivered with minimal disruption to the live residential streetscape.

The award was accepted by Joby Howard and Karl Dean (Grosvenor Hart Homes), Richard Williams (Cassidy + Ashton), and Ian Williams (Warden). The judges praised the careful balance of conservation and contemporary residential quality.

Ian Williams, director at Warden, said: “We’re proud to have played a part in the Priory Place refurbishment. Working on buildings with so much history is always rewarding, but it comes with its own set of challenges.

“We had to balance the heritage requirements with modern standards that respected the original character of the properties. It was detailed, careful work, but exactly the kind of challenge we enjoy and thrive in.

“The success of this project is a testament to the collaborative effort of the team. Each partner brought deep expertise and a shared commitment to preserving these buildings while creating high-quality, contemporary homes. We’re happy to see this collective endeavour recognised with such a prestigious award.”

The Cheshire West Design Awards celebrate the very best in local design and construction, recognising projects across residential, commercial, community and public realm categories. The next awards will take place in 2030.

Warden has raised over £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through various fundraising activities across 2025.

Macmillan was selected as our charity of the year, following the support it provided to our colleague Geoff during his battle with cancer. He is now back at work full-time after overcoming his illness following treatment.

Throughout the year, employees engaged in various initiatives that saw them take on challenges, host events and find new ways to support the essential services the charity provides.

Site manager Tom Davies completed the National Three Peaks Challenge across England, Scotland and Wales. He was later joined by HSEQ advisor Beth Elder for a 47-mile trek through the Peak District, completed within 24 hours.

Beth also took part in the AJ Bell Great Manchester Half Marathon alongside Tony Quinn, procurement manager, and Dan Culshaw, finance director, raising additional funds in the process.

Employees also hosted several events throughout the year, including a Macmillan Coffee Morning, a Bonfire Luncheon, and a Christmas Jumper Day.

Collectively, the team raised £3,127 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The funds will help the charity continue its vital work providing emotional, practical and financial assistance to people living with cancer and their families.

Ian Williams, managing director, said: “The support Macmillan provided for Geoff during his treatment meant a great deal to everyone here, we are proud to stand behind a charity that made such a difference to one of our own.

“From those who took on physical challenges to everyone who baked, brewed coffee, wore a Christmas jumper or simply put a few pounds in a collection tin, it has been a genuine group effort, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team.”

Michelle Davis, Macmillan centre deputy manager, said: “We would like to thank Warden for choosing us to be its Charity of the Year, and for the generous donations. Meeting the team at our centre was a highlight, and their engagement this year shows a genuine dedication to helping us support people living with cancer.

“Our centre at Royal Preston Hospital, like all Macmillan Information and Support Service centres nationwide, provides practical, emotional, financial and psychological support to those affected by cancer. We can continue this work thanks to the generosity of our fundraisers, whose support will make a lasting difference for local patients. Thank you, team Warden, for your wonderful support.”

Warden is bringing the spirit of Christmas to Manchester once again as it commences work on the city’s world-famous Christmas Markets.

Each year, the Manchester Christmas Markets attract millions of visitors from across the UK and beyond, transforming the city centre into a festive destination filled with food, craft, and celebration.

Marking its third consecutive year working on behalf of Manchester City Council and North West Construction Hub, our specialist teams will be delivering the project ahead of the grand opening on Friday 7 November.

The programme of works is extensive, with operations running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The scope includes organising deliveries, managing mechanical and electrical installations, coordinating crane lifts, installing and removing fencing, and overseeing full traffic management to maintain the safe flow of people and vehicles throughout the city.

This year’s installations will span a record ten locations, covering Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Albert Square.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “The Manchester Christmas Markets are such an iconic part of the city’s festive season, and we’re incredibly proud to once again be part of delivering them.

“It’s a demanding and logistically complex project that really highlights the teamwork, expertise, and dedication of everyone involved. From our site managers and electricians to our traffic management partners, each team plays a crucial role in creating something truly special for the people of Manchester.”

The professional team for the installation includes WMB Installations (electricians), Arena Group (fencing), and Go Traffic Management (traffic management).

To celebrate the opening, Warden will host a client event in central Manchester, bringing together partners and stakeholders who contribute to the success of the markets each year.

Warden has appointed Peter Heskine as commercial manager to help drive growth and operational performance.

Peter has over two decades of experience in the construction industry and joins from Pinington, where he worked as commercial director for seven years.

Reporting to commercial director Adrian Atkinson, Peter will lead our eight-person commercial division, overseeing all stages of the construction process, from pre-construction and procurement to delivery and post-completion.

He will be responsible for driving excellence in cost management, contract negotiation, supply chain performance and risk mitigation across our diverse project portfolio.

Adrian Atkinson, commercial director, said: “We’re happy to welcome Peter to the team. His industry knowledge and commercial insight will be invaluable as we continue to push our expansion into new regions.

“Peter brings a strategic approach to commercial management that will enhance how we manage risk, deliver value, and maximise performance across our projects. His leadership will play a key role in ensuring our clients continue to receive the best outcomes.”

Peter added: “I was drawn to Warden because of its strong reputation, impressive range of projects, and the way it balances commercial focus with its commitment to delivering social value. It’s a business that clearly values doing things the right way.

“This is a great opportunity to use my commercial experience to strengthen client and supply chain relationships and support Warden’s continued success.”

Peter’s appointment marks another important step in Warden’s ongoing investment in people and capability to support its delivery of high-quality projects in sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, residential and sports and leisure.

Warden has completed work on a major project at Southport Hospital that will boost clinical capacity and enhance patient care.

A new £3.4m standalone endoscopy unit has been delivered, with a a £4.3m CT department extension underway, in collaboration with Vinci Facilities, on behalf of the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The single storey endoscopy unit features two state-of-the-art treatment rooms and eight recovery bays, offering modern facilities to support growing demand for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Works included the installation of internal doors, integrated plumbing systems (IPS), flooring, external cladding and associated external works.

The CT department project involved an extension to increase clinical space and house a new scanner that will support with the provision of quicker diagnostic results, as well as a full internal refurbishment and remodelling of the existing area.

Located close to other wards, the works demanded enhanced air quality, vibration, and noise monitoring to protect vulnerable patients throughout the programme.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “We’re proud to support Southport Hospital with the delivery of these essential new healthcare facilities. It’s a significant investment in the future of local healthcare infrastructure and will provide vital services that speed up patient care.

“Projects like this demonstrate how modern construction can bring real value to local communities, improving patient experience while also supporting the hardworking NHS professionals and creating opportunities for future talent.”

The professional team on this project included Ryder Architecture (lead designer and principal designer), Steve Hunt Associates (M&E consultant), and Burrows Graham (structural & civil engineer).

Community engagement has played a role throughout the project, with the Warden team supporting apprenticeship training weeks and charity initiatives.

Warden has appointed Ian Powell as head of group development, marking a significant step forward in the company’s regional growth strategy.

Ian brings over thirty years of experience in the construction industry, most recently serving as head of development at Lowbury Construction Ltd, where he worked for eight years.

Ian will work closely with teams across the company to develop lasting client relationships and drive long-term, strategic growth.

He will lead business development efforts by strengthening our presence across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, while accelerating our expansion into Cheshire.

He will also be responsible for ensuring that growth initiatives align with our core values and strategic direction, while elevating our profile across public and private sector markets.

Ian Williams, managing director, said: “Welcoming Ian to the team marks another important milestone in Warden’s journey. In recent years, we’ve expanded both our operations and the sectors we support, and it was important to find someone with the experience and industry relationships to help us build on that momentum.

“His appointment ensures we remain focused on delivering sustainable, long-term growth across the North West and we’re confident that his leadership will play a key role in the next chapter of Warden’s success.”

Ian’s career is defined by his leadership in construction innovation. He recently developed the Carbon Reduction Initiative, a data analysis tool designed to help companies minimise their carbon footprint during site surveys. It won “Innovation of the Year” at the 2024 Constructing Excellence Awards.

Ian Powell added: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape and expand Warden’s already strong client base. I’m excited to be supporting the company’s growth into new markets while building on the work already being done in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to build a strong network within the construction industry. My focus now is on raising awareness of Warden’s capabilities and making sure we continue to deliver exceptional service to some of the most respected names in the sector.”

A two-year construction project to enable a Preston primary school to double its pupil intake and transform its facilities has been completed.

Warden has officially handed over the project at Lea Community Primary School which has created four new classrooms, a new playground and an all-weather play area with climbing equipment, sensory garden and interactive area.

As part of the makeover, the school’s library, kitchens and areas around the key stage 1 classrooms have also been renovated. The £3.5m project has been funded through Lancashire County Council’s Department for Education grant.

It means that pupils will benefit from a hugely improved learning environment and better play facilities, while the school will be able to open its doors to an extra 210 pupils in future years, doubling the current intake.

Members of our project team joined children, teachers, and councillors to mark the official handover of the new facilities at the school.

Adrian Atkinson, director at Warden, said: “This has been an incredibly rewarding project for Warden Construction, delivering beautiful new classrooms and modern, state-of-the-art play facilities, as well additional social value outcomes.

“These improvements will allow children to fully benefit from the new spaces, and the school will now be able to double its intake, which is a fantastic boost for the community.”

Headteacher Lynne Slater said: “We are very pleased that our children and school community are going to see the benefit of the improvements to our school.

“The interactive play area and trim trail are wonderful and will really give the children and our school community the chance to grow and to make the most of the learning and play opportunities.

“This will improve the physical, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as improve their learning opportunities, and provide a significant boost to the local community in terms of additional school places.”

Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said: “I’m delighted to be attending the official handover of the new facilities at Lea Primary School, and to speak to children and staff firsthand about how they welcome these new additions.

“I was impressed with the standard of the new additions and pleased that we are investing in the future. This will mean that the school can double its intake, and that more children and families in the local community will be able to enjoy learning here in the coming years.”

Representing Warden at the official handover were director Adrian Atkinson, health and safety advisor Bethany Elder, site manager Andy Worthington, contract manager Geoff Noblett, social value coordinator Heather Thompson, and marketing assistant Laura Atkinson.

As part of our social value delivery on the project, we undertook several school visits to engage pupils in construction learning activity and also donated prizes for the school’s summer fairs over the course of the project.

The project also saw new planting and landscaping with 30 new trees and 10 new bushes, while two new electric vehicle charges and solar panels were also incorporated into the project.

The professional team included Walsh IBS (electricians), North Star (groundworks) and Walsh IBS (mechanical).

Warden has completed work on a project that’s helped to deliver a new public square in Gorton town centre in Manchester.

We were appointed by Manchester City Council to transform an underused car park between Gorton Market and Tesco into a new flexible space, designed to improve connectivity through the town, encourage footfall, and host events.

The design of the square was shaped through consultation with residents and community groups, focusing on enhancing the space with new public realm features and upgraded infrastructure.

Works included the installation of interactive play features, light projections, and a nature area with new planters and trees, as well as improved pedestrian and cycling routes to ensure safer, more accessible movement through the area.

Approximately 1,900 square metres of the area was resurfaced with footpaths and a new access road and additional infrastructure has been installed, with new lighting, signage, and street furniture to enhance the square’s usability.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “We are incredibly proud to have played our role in bringing this vibrant new public square to life for the people of Gorton.

“Seeing this underused space transformed into a welcoming heart for the community, one that complements the existing market and offers opportunities for connection and enjoyment for all ages, is truly rewarding. We believe this thoughtfully designed square will be a cornerstone of Gorton’s ongoing regeneration, and we look forward to seeing it thrive.”

Bev Craig, Leader of the Council, adds: “We are investing in our local communities across the city because we know how important Manchester’s high streets are to the people they serve. This isn’t just about accessing services easily; this is also about creating pride in our local spaces and neighbourhoods our residents want to live in.

“We know that Manchester people want to live in welcoming, clean and green communities that support businesses, create jobs and provide opportunities for new affordable housing.

“This is what we’re doing in Gorton, and we have our sights set on other district centres, for future investment that will continue our ongoing commitment to investing in the things our local communities want and need.”

We worked in partnership with Manchester City Council and local stakeholders, and alongside Halliday Meecham Architects and DEP landscape architects on the design of the square and helped secure the required planning approvals

As part of our commitment to social value, a series of community-focused initiatives have been delivered to support residents and leave a lasting legacy in Gorton.

The team visited St James’ Primary School, delivering two engaging sessions that introduced pupils to the built environment and the many career opportunities within construction. The aim was to inspire the next generation to see construction as an exciting, inclusive, and meaningful industry.

“The lesson was perfectly pitched and married up with our story and builders topic brilliantly. The Lego session was lovely, so engaging and made the links of building so well.

“It was just wonderful for the children to see you and the safety equipment and the illustrations of the new Gorton build.”

– Teacher, St James’ Primary School.

In addition, we engaged with young people not currently in education, employment or training (NEETs) at the Gorton Hub Job Centre, offering advice and guidance on how to access opportunities within the construction industry.

To further support the local community, we donated materials and equipment to the Men’s Sheds group based at Gorton Monastery, helping them progress with their latest project promoting wellbeing and social connection.

Further investment is planned for the area later this year, as part of the wider regeneration vision for Gorton, including the development of new affordable homes that will overlook the newly improved public square.

We recently worked with Manchester City Council on the delivery of a new eco-style modular café building, occupied by Grounded MCR, in Cringle Park, Levenshulme.

Warden has completed work on a new permanent home for a popular Manchester café venture that helps people with anxiety get into employment.

We worked with Manchester City Council to provide a new eco-style modular café building which has allowed community interest company Grounded MCR to have a larger, permanent base in Cringle Park, Levenshulme.

The new home includes accessible toilet facilities for park visitors and complements several other recent investments made by the council in Cringle Park, including upgraded competition standard tennis courts, outdoor gym equipment, improvements to the play area and a new zip wire. The new facilities were officially opened by Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Andrews.

Grounded MCR CIC was set up in 2021 by local couple Natalie and Kerry and previously operated as a mobile coffee stand, moving its distinctive yellow trike between Cringle Park and Platt’s Fields and appearing at local markets, festivals and events.

It has helped many vulnerable young people and adults to learn barista and hospitality skills, helping them to gain confidence and boost their employability skills. It welcomes people dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, or other challenges that might make them feel vulnerable.

Ian Williams, managing director, said: “This is a great project to be involved in and one that will provide many benefits for local people. Grounded MCR is more than just the delicious coffee and cake, it’s providing a valuable community service and supporting people towards better mental wellbeing.

“We’re proud to have worked with Manchester City Council to provide Grounded MCR with a vibrant social space that will allow them to do so much more to help people.”

Natalie Lobel from Grounded MCR, said: “Grounded Manchester CIC is so happy to have been given the chance to open a community cafe in Cringle Park. Thank you to MCC – between us we can support local disadvantaged people into work whilst improving the mental health of our staff and customers. We can’t wait to get cracking.”

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: “We’ve created a strong partnership with the community in Cringle Park and the result is this fantastic new cafe and toilet facility where people can relax, enjoy quality food and drinks and feel part of the wider community.

“We are investing in our parks with our communities as they are places where people can enjoy nature, play sport and feel pride in their park – they are not just green spaces, they bring people together and are beneficial for both our physical and mental health.

“Our commitment is demonstrated in the 50% uplift we’ve seen in Park visitors from pre pandemic level. 9.2 million park visitors across the city in the past 12 months”

Our work on the £200,000 project involved the preparation works for the new facility, including new drainage and foundations and installing the new modular building and accessible toilet facilities.

In addition to the cafe, extensive planting and landscaping improvements have been made, including a new ‘green roof’ to ensure the cafe is sympathetic to the park surroundings.

The cafe will be serving a range of affordable hot and cold food and beverages and in line with the council’s commitment to reducing food waste, Grounded MCR will be working with FareShare to save unused food from being wasted.